Inexcusable.
That’s how Billy Napier described redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Brendan Bett’s actions in the final minutes of Florida’s 18-16 loss to South Florida Sept. 6.
During the Bulls’ game-winning drive, where quarterback Byrum Brown marched 87 yards downfield to set up a game-winning field goal, Bett was ejected for spitting on USF offensive lineman Cole Skinner.
“It’s unacceptable,” Napier said. “When a guy does something like that, he's compromising the team. He's putting himself before the team.”
Bett got in Skinner’s face and spit on him just feet away from an official. The infraction moved the Bulls 15 yards upfield just moments after UF junior cornerback Dijon Johnson was penalized for pass interference, adding 13 yards.
The two penalties were the nail in the coffin to Florida’s penalty-ridden contest. The Gators committed 11 infractions for 103 yards and lost after Nico Gramatica cashed a 20-yard field goal as time expired. After the game, quarterback DJ Lagway, defensive back Devin Moore and Napier addressed the spitting incident, which drew criticism from Florida fans.
As of Sept. 7, UF and USF fans have already flooded Bett’s Instagram with nearly 200 comments referencing the incident, berating him for “abhorrent behavior” and accusing him of “costing your team the game.”
“Sometimes your emotions can get high, but you can’t jeopardize the team,” Moore said. “Take accountability for your actions, and just clean it up when we see it on film.”
Moore was understandably dejected following Florida’s 18-16 loss, according to Napier.
“There’s no place for that as an individual, and certainly representing the University of Florida, there’s no place for that here,” Moore said. “This is a prestigious program, and that will be addressed for sure.”
The senior defensive back mentioned there were several players crying in the locker room following the loss. Lagway later revealed Bett was a part of the group.
“He was in there crying and stuff like that, feeling bad, talking to the coaches, talking to the players and apologizing for it,” Lagway said. “He's a heck of a player. He made a mistake there. That doesn't identify his character at all.”
Bett joined Florida after an academic dilemma during his second year at Baylor. He was placed on academic suspension after his grades came up 0.003% short to be eligible to play, forcing him to take a redshirt.
According to his mother, the incident was Baylor’s fault, and Bett was left without academic support.
“It definitely sucked a lot, but I feel like it made me a better person,” Bett said Sept. 3. “I just try to look at it as a different opportunity, you know, just still developing myself, bettering myself and kind of not being too down on it. Still look at it as a blessing that I still get to play the sport I love.”
Following the Gators’ loss, Napier took accountability for Florida’s play and called for accountability from both players and coaches. But, Napier said the team will investigate Bett’s actions, which he said were “uncharacteristic.”
“The ones that keep you up at night are the ones that are player decision making,” Napier said about the Gators’ penalties. “Everything the game is about, you’re compromising, so there will be lessons to be learned there.”
Contact Curan Ahern at cahern@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @CuranAhern.
Curan is a third-year journalism-sports & media major who currently serves as the football beat reporter for The Alligator, now in his third semester with the paper. When not at his computer screen writing, Curan enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging with friends, family and pets, and watching the Patriots lose (no, he doesn't miss Brady).
